Repeating Islands

Spearheaded by Bahamian developer Orjan Lindroth and Antonius Roberts, environmental artist, sculptor, and open space designer, under the auspices of the Antiquities, Monuments & Museum Corporation (AMMC), work began on March 30, 2009, for the restoration of the former Collins House and a creative transformation of the long-neglected grounds. Now called Centreville House (the original Centerville House which was destroyed in a 1929 hurricane), the headquarters of The National Museum of The Bahamas/AMMC is located at Shirley Street in downtown Nassau. The restoration was completed on June 30.

The Centreville House grounds are adorned with native vegetation such as lignum vitae, yellow elder, madera, horseflesh, coco plum, joujou, sea grape, coconut, sour sop, guamalamee, and others from the wide range of Caribbean flower and fruit trees found in the Bahamas. Trees chosen were recommended by the Bahamas National Trust and the Nature Conservancy to make sure the botanical representation is authentic and historically correct. The Bahamas Weekly explains, “The guiding principles that informed the vision and direction of this work encompassed the following: to design, within the environs of Centreville House, a park reflective of the inherent elegance and history of the existing house, at the same time honoring the broader reference of the Lucayan Indian heritage in The Bahamas; to make it a community project; to create an open space accessible to and for Bahamians from all walks of life; to maximize the use of native wood, plants, and trees and to observe a ‘green’ philosophy by recycling organic material from the property.”

Antonius Roberts says, “As a sculptor, it is important that the ideals of conservation and preservation are reflected in my work. I do this by utilizing indigenous materials and locating the installations, where possible, in places of historical significance. Thus the past is recorded, re-created and remembered as a living historical record of our Bahamian heritage.” Besides overseeing the grounds design, Roberts donated and installed his “Driftwood” sculpture. Other artists, such as Jessica Colebrooke, Chantal Bethel, Tyrone Ferguson, and Lavar Munroe, among others, have created work specifically for this site. Local citizens and schoolchildren also contributed to beautifying various sections of the park.

Centreville House is considered a “pilot project” leading the way for similar green space development and the restoration of other older properties to help Bahamians “to be aware of their culture, history, and heritage, and a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural sites of Old Nassau.”

For photo of the original Collins House and more information on the Centreville project, see http://www.antoniusroberts.com/centreville.html

For full articles, see http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/arts-and-culture/Centreville_House6751.shtml, and http://www.bahamaislandsinfo.com/index.php?view=article&catid=61%3Anassau-and-paradise-island-news&id=3174%3Acentreville-house-becomes-an-oasis&tmpl=component&print=1&page=&option=com_content